British Man Jailed for Encouraging Suicide of US Citizen
A British man who admitted to encouraging a vulnerable 21-year-old US citizen to take his own life during a video call has been sentenced to six years and four months in prison.
Dylan Phelan, 21, from Morley, had been in communication with Travis Dyer, a young man struggling with mental health issues, for several months through the online platform Discord.
Leeds Crown Court heard that Phelan, along with two other men based in the United States, encouraged Dyer, who lived in Louisiana, to commit suicide during a two-minute video call on 30 October 2024.
Judge Barry Cotter KC said Phelan had acted out of "morbid curiosity" and that Travis had needed "help and support but he got the very opposite of that from you."
The court was informed that Phelan and the two other men, identified only as Mads and Rob, were members of a private Discord server named 'Recovery4all,' where members discussed mental health topics.
Andrew Petterson, prosecuting, stated:
"The name 'Recovery4all' was ironic as the members did not seek to help others with their mental health struggles."
He added that the deceased had shared his suicidal thoughts and plans within the group.
"The deceased shared his suicidal thoughts within the group and his plans to take his own life."
Petterson explained that some individuals in the group actively encouraged Dyer to end his life.
The court heard that the trio urged Dyer to spend all his money on drugs and alcohol, leaving him financially unable to support himself.
"This was a campaign of cruelty during which Travis Dyer was groomed into taking his own life."
During the video call on 30 October, Phelan and the others were recorded encouraging Dyer to proceed with suicide at various points.
